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What Can Red Wings Fans Expect From The 9th Overall Pick?
It's official, the Detroit Red Wings will select ninth overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, losing out on the draft lottery once again. The draft lottery took place last Monday night, and Detroit stayed put at ninth overall rather than falling one or two places, which many fans see as a win in itself. The Chicago Blackhawks capped off their world-class tank this season by winning the Connor Bedard sweepstakes, and the first overall pick.
The top-five prospects in this class are phenomenal and winning a top-three selection in this year's draft lottery, however unlikely (Detroit had a roughly 10% chance), would have been a huge victory for the unluckiest team in the NHL over the last decade. Alas, Detroit held firm at ninth instead, where they will still be able to land a significant piece of their future roster, especially if undersized wingers like Matvei Michkov or Zach Benson slide considerably on draft day.
Today we're going to take a look at the 10 most recent ninth-overall picks (from 2013-22) to help Red Wings fans manage their expectations about who might be selected on June 28 and what they might contribute to the team. Players at this spot are drafted for their skill and potential as well as how likely it is that they will realize that potential. Some players on this list are hard to remember as prospects, but every ninth-overall pick was selected with the hopes of them becoming a franchise-altering player.
2022: Matthew Savoie – Buffalo SabresMatthew Savoie is an incredibly dynamic offensive talent, with the speed, hands and skill to tear through defenses with ease. He lacks ideal NHL size (5-foot-9), but his tenacity and offensive game will likely make him a top-six winger in the NHL. Savoie will be an excellent player on an NHL power play, with the confidence to skate into traffic, and the passing skill to hit teammates in stride.
Since the 2022 Draft was just 10 months ago, it's too early to say whether this was a great pick or not, but it's certainly trending in the right direction as Savoie improved on his draft year production in the WHL this season, and has taken his production to an entirely different level in the WHL playoffs, currently sitting at 27 points in 14 games.
2021: Dylan Guenther – Arizona CoyotesDylan Guenther is a very promising young sniper, spending the first half of the 2022-23 season in the NHL where he scored 15 points in 33 games before joining Team Canada for the World Junior Championship. At that tournament, Guenther scored seven goals and 10 points in seven games, including the golden goal against Czechia.
Guenther spent the final half of the season in the WHL with the Seattle Thunderbirds and has amassed 50 points in 34 games split between the regular season and playoffs, 27 of which were goals (at the time of writing). Again, it's too early to really say what Guenther will be at the NHL level, but he's clearly trending towards being a first-line goalscorer with the potential to score 40+ goals in his prime.
2020: Marco Rossi – Minnesota WildMarco Rossi is a very intriguing prospect, mainly because he's had an incredibly difficult development path, and has still taken steps toward becoming a great NHLer. After scoring 120 points in just 56 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) games in his draft year, Rossi was in high demand on draft day, despite his diminutive frame (5-foot-9). However, he lost the entire next year of his development as a result of long-term COVID-19 complications.
Rossi has since bounced back considerably, scoring 104 points in 116 AHL games over the last two seasons, earning himself 21 NHL games over that stretch. The offense hasn't been there for him yet at the NHL level, with just two points to his name so far, but I truly believe it is only a matter of time before he establishes himself as a legit offensive talent for the Wild in the NHL.
2019: Trevor Zegras – Anaheim DucksTrevor Zegras was the runner-up for the 2022 Calder Trophy given to the league's best rookie after scoring 61 points in 75 games for a young Ducks team. He has already built quite the reputation for himself as an incredibly skilled player who casually pulls off skill plays like between-the-legs goals and the Michigan goal seemingly every other month. He followed up that excellent rookie year with a 65 point season this year on the league's last place team.
Zegras is poised to be either a great top-six center, or an excellent top-six winger if the Ducks use the second overall pick on someone who they trust as a top-line center. He already spent some time on the wing this season, so I expect that the team views him as a winger long-term which should free him up on offense even more. I know it's considered a mortal sin by many Red Wings fans to compliment Zegras, but he is an awesome player and Detroit would be lucky add a player of his caliber (*ducks to avoid flying tomatoes*).
2018: Vitali Kravtsov – New York RangersVitali Kravtsov is a bit of a black sheep on this list, as the only player here who hasn't established himself as a full-time NHLer to this point. Kravtsov split his first two post-draft seasons between the KHL and the AHL, where he looked like a potential second-line winger with a great finishing ability. After making the Rangers out of training camp in 2020-21, Kravtsov scored four points in 20 games and went back to Russia to play for the next year and half.
Upon returning to the NHL for the 2022-23 season, it was clear that Kravtsov wasn't a fit in New York (he had 6 points in 28 games), so he was traded for a depth prospect and a 2024 seventh round pick to the Vancouver Canucks. The same issues of consistency and lack of physical engagement seemed to plague him in Vancouver, though the growing group of Russian players in Vancouver may be enough for him to stick it out next year rather than returning to the KHL. Hopefully this is the right situation for him and he can find a long-term role on the West Coast.
2017: Michael Rasmussen – Detroit Red WingsMichael Rasmussen took a while to establish himself as a full-time NHL player, but he has certainly done so in the last two seasons alone. His development post-draft was a bit all over the place, from his 18-point, 62-game rookie year in the NHL as a 19-year-old to his wild 21-year-old season at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic which saw him split the season between the Red Wings, their AHL affiliate the Grand Rapids Griffins, and a loan to Graz99ers of the ICEHL.
Despite the wild route he took, Rasmussen has finally arrived as a solid middle-six forward who has a lot to give defensively. He has 56 points in 136 games over the last two seasons, and was a big part of the team's rise this year before going down with an injury. I expect Rasmussen will continue to find his offensive game over the next few years while providing a ton of defensive value at even strength and on the penalty kill.
2016: Mikhail Sergachev – Montreal CanadiensMikhail Sergachev looked like a great two-way defender in his draft year, scoring 57 points in 67 OHL games while also being responsible defensively. He played four games at the end of his draft+1 year with the Canadiens before getting traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Jonathan Drouin, who appeared to be on the verge of a breakout following a 53 point season. Drouin has never surpassed that production in the years since, and Sergachev has blossomed into an excellent two-way defender.
Sergachev spent most of his first few years in Tampa Bay crushing easy minutes on the third pairing behind Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonough. After McDonough was traded in the summer of 2022, Sergachev's role increased. Hedman had a bit of a down year during the regular season, increasing Sergachev's role even further. He spent much of the year as Tampa Bay's best defender, shutting down tough competition and scoring a career-high 64 points.
2015: Timo Meier – San Jose SharksTimo Meier is a modern power-forward who has a ton of skill and an excellent shot. In fact, Meier is one of the most prolific shooters in the league with 327 shots on net this season (tied 7th). He has scored at least 30 goals in three different seasons, including a career-high of 40 this season split between the Sharks and the New Jersey Devils.
Meier is also an incredibly gifted passer, comfortably skating into traffic to make space for teammates before hitting their tape with ease, setting up high danger chances. He's been successful offensively on the power play as well as at even strength, and his level of dominance more than makes up for his defensive deficiencies. Meier is a great fit on a fast and fun Devils team, so here's to hoping they get him extended this offseason.
2014: Nikolaj Ehlers – Winnipeg JetsNikolaj Ehlers is one of the fastest skaters in the NHL, and is one of the most consistently underrated players as well. I believe that is in part to his health troubles over the course of his career, having only played more than 62 games in four of his eight NHL seasons, and also in part because of the large number of talented forwards that Winnipeg has had throughout his career.
Regardless, Ehlers has been an excellent top-six forward for the length of his career so far, and has seemingly only gotten better, scoring at a 73-point pace over the last three seasons combined. It was a well-known fact that long-time Jets head coach Paul Maurice seemingly refused to play Ehlers on the first line or first power play unit and that seemed like it would change this year under Rick Bowness, however, Ehlers struggled with injuries once again and never really seemed to find his rhythm.
2013: Bo Horvat – Vancouver CanucksBo Horvat has been a consistent top-six centerman in the NHL for nine seasons now, with a respectable (though slightly overrated) two-way game and the ability to score 40-60 points each season. Horvat is a great character guy who was named captain of the Vancouver Canucks at age 24 and remained their captain right up until he was traded to the New York Islanders at this year's trade deadline.
Horvat has developed a bit of a reputation as a finisher over the last few years, especially on the powerplay where he has become one of the best "bumper" scorers in the league. He has scored above a 25-goal pace for each of the last five seasons, with a career high of 38 this year. Horvat is also one of the best faceoff specialists in the NHL, with the most faceoff wins in the entire league over the last five seasons combined.
What Can the Red Wings Expect?Zegras, Guenther, and Sergachev are great "best-case scenario" comparables for Detroit, as they all appear to be top-of-the-lineup players who are legit difference makers in the NHL. Kravtsov and Rasmussen are closer to the lower end of what the ninth overall pick can land you, even though Raz has come a long way in the last two years specifically. I'd say Ehlers and Horvat are about the average type of player a team can expect to land at ninth, one who helps you win games, but will never be your superstar level guy.
With Detroit's track record of draft success in recent years, I wouldn't be surprised if they found another top line talent despite going yet another year without any lottery luck. I don't think the Red Wings will use this pick to help solve their depth issues on the right side of their defensive group because the group of forwards at this range in the draft is wildly talented and at least one of Dalibor Dvorsky, Gabe Perreault, or Ryan Leonard should be available to them at ninth overall. It's also worth mentioning that there should be a handful of good right-defence prospects available in the second round where Detroit holds picks 41-43, guys like Oliver Bonk, Hunter Brzustewicz, and Maxim Strbak (more on them another time).
This would've been an amazing year to finally see the draft lottery break Detroit's way, but they've built one of the league's most exciting young cores without lottery luck so why mess with that formula now? The Red Wings are very likely to add a major difference maker to their team going forward at ninth overall, and I, for one, can't wait to see who they select.
The Best Red Wing Work Boots (2024 Guide)
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Red Wing work boots have been around since the early 1900s and remain as popular as ever today. The legacy brand differentiates itself from other boot brands with the style it infuses into its footwear along with durability and practicality. Most of the company's work boots feature oiled leather, which gives them a richer look, and many are equipped with lug or wedge soles that are more streamlined. Eye-catching details such as contrasting stitching and brass eyelets add to their vintage look.
Though you won't find steel toes on many Red Wing boots, they are rugged enough for the workplace. The oiled leather uppers do a great job of warding off water and they're durably built with triple-stitched seams and a Goodyear welt. We've sorted through hundreds of pairs to find the best Red Wing work boots.
How We Picked the Best Red Wing Work BootsIn assessing these boots, we used the following criteria:
Specs
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The fact that the Iron Ranger was designed for use by iron miners in Minnesota back in the 1930s is a pretty good indication of just how well built these boots are. They're constructed with oil-tanned leather that has natural water and scuff resistant qualities. They also have safety features you would expect from a work boot designed for guys working with heavy equipment and large rocks, including a double layer leather toe cap, and a steel shank that protects the foot from punctures.
The Iron Ranger's are also built to endure a beating, thanks to a Goodyear welt and triple-stitched construction. Red Wing equips the boot with a Vibram outsole, which is highly regarded for its durability, comfort, and traction. A large bulbous bump toe gives you room to wiggle your toes, while a 6.5-inch shaft and lace-up style provide a secure fit with good ankle support. While the Rangers are a great work boot, they're also stylish thanks to high contrast stitching and brass eyelets.
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Given that Red Wing is well over 100 years old, many of its boots have their roots in the early 20th century and the Blacksmith is an example of this. At less than 2 pounds, it's one of the lightest work boot Red Wing offers.
Based off of the classic work boot worn in farm fields and workshops in the early 1900s, its oiled and waxed leather and 6-inch column were originally designed to protect Blacksmiths from hot embers that would fly off the forge. Those features now keep water out of the boot while also making them very durable. As with Red Wing's other work boots, the Blacksmith features a Goodyear welt and triple stitching that adds durability, though the lack of a hard toe cap does limit their use as a work boot. The Vibram mini lug sole keeps the boots light while providing plenty of traction.
Similar to other Red Wing boots, the Blacksmith features a bump toe that makes for a roomy toe box. Like most of Red Wing's boots, the Blacksmith has form to go with their function. The oiled leather and brass eyelets give the boots a classic look that makes them just at home for a night out on the town as they are in the workplace.
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Working on hard concrete surfaces, such as those found on factory floors and loading docks, can be murder on the soles of your feet not to mention your knees and hips. The Moc Toe boot is a great counter to those unforgiving surfaces with its wedge style sole.
That broad, flat outsole has greater surface area than a standard lug sole that has a gap between the heel and the toe box. This design distributes pressure across the entire foot reducing fatigue, while also improving traction on smooth surfaces.
The thick midsole also has the added benefit of better absorbing impacts, thanks to cork filler in the midsole, a crucial characteristic when working on hard surfaces.
Per its name, the boot has a moc toe, a common design with wedge style work boots. This toe style is roomy while allowing for flexibility when crouching or walking. A 6-inch column provides excellent support while still offering plenty of freedom of movement. And though the Moc boot is one of the pricier work boots you'll find, they'll last longer than most work boots thanks to its triple stitching and oiled leather.
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Red Wing's classic round toe boot was originally developed for farmers back in the early 1900s. When the company found out that many women were wearing men's round toe work boots, the company decided it was time to make a version of this boot for women. Like the original men's boot, the women's version features a wedge sole that offers stability while also creating a thick outsole for plenty of shock absorbing cushioning. The lace-up style allows for adjustments to fit the contours of your feet while the oversized toe box preserves room in the toe box.
The women's round toe boot is just as rugged as the original with oiled leather, triple stitching and the same Goodyear welt found on Red Wing's men's boots. Inside there's an insole that molds to the shape of the foot. Though the two boots are very similar, there are subtle differences. The women's version has a sleeker design, is better suited for narrower feet, and is notably lighter. This pair of boots weighs less than 1.5 pounds. And, like Red Wing's men's work boots, they are stylish enough to wear out as well as at work.
Specs
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Red Wing boots are among the most highly regarded and sought after workboots on the market thanks to the quality of the materials and construction methods used to make each pair. Unfortunately, that also means they're very expensive. Well, most of them. The Rovers are an exception.
While there are no cheap Red Wing work boots, this pair costs less than other Red Wing boots but delivers much of the same quality. With a nearly smooth flat wedge sole, they'll grip to smooth slick surfaces. In addition to providing excellent traction, the 6-inch shaft and lace up design allows the wearer to achieve a snug fit with good ankle support. A thick midsole provides ample cushioning and shock absorption while distributing pressure evenly across the foot, keeping feet from getting sore and tired over long days of standing or walking.
The boots also come equipped with Red Wing's time tested construction methods, which include triple stitching and a Goodyear welt and oiled leather. As with other boots in the Heritage collection, the Rovers have a vintage look that make them dressy enough for a night out.
What to Consider When Choosing Red Wing Work Boots ConstructionA set of good Red Wing boots have a reputation for lasting a long time, a testament to the build quality of the boots. Features such as triple stitching, a Goodyear welt and rubber soles are common across the company's entire product line. You'll also find oiled genuine leather on most Red Wing boots. This leather treatment not only gives the boots a classic look, it also makes them more resistant to foul weather conditions and preserves the leather. Inside the boot are insoles that are made from materials that help cushion the footbed, including high density foam.
StyleRed Wing leather work boots are about as much about style as they are about performance. Unlike brands that make pure work boots, a good chunk of the boots that Red Wing sells are purchased for their form over their function. Red Wing's boots borrow from century-old styles that give them a vintage look that make them an attractive boot. The oiled leather, use of contrast stitching, and lighter weight make them a good choice for casual wear, too.
ComfortComfort is crucial when choosing a work boot. Red Wing's focus is on the flexibility and roominess it builds into its boots. Most Red Wing boots basically arrive broken in thanks oiled leather that makes them soft and malleable right out of the box. Most of Red Wing's boots feature either bulbous toe boxes that allow for more room or broad Moc toes that are roomy and flexible, allowing enough space for the weare to wiggle their toes.
ShaftMost of Red Wing's line of work boots have a 6-inch shaft with a lace-up design that consists of brass eyelets and hooks. This design allows the wearer to fit the boots snugly around the ankles, providing excellent support during the workday.
FAQs Q: How much do Red Wing work boots cost?Red Wing boots are made with high quality materials and construction methods, so expect to pay a premium for them. While there are affordable Red Wing work boots that cost between $100 and $150, most of the brand's boots cost over $200 with some surpassing $300.
Q: Who makes Red Wing work boots?Red Wing makes its own line of work boots. The company is based in Red Wing, Minnesota, where it has been making boots for more than 100 years.
Q: Are Red Wing boots made in the USA?Red Wing, which was founded in 1905 in Red Wing, Minnesota, makes all of its Heritage line of work boots in the U.S. In addition to the Red Wing brand, the company also makes other boot brands, including Irish Setter Boots, Vasque, and Worx.
Q: Can Red Wing boots be resoled?Since Red Wing boots use a Godoyear welt to connect the outsole to the insole and upper, they can be resoled. In fact, the company has a group of cobblers at its headquarters in Red Wing, Minnesota, who repair and resole Red Wing boots.
Best Red Wing Work Boots: Final ThoughtsThe best Red Wing work boots mix the iconic style of an early 1900s work boot with materials and construction methods that make them both rugged and durable. The brand's Iron Ranger, inspired by boots made for iron miners in the early 20th century, is a great example of Red Wing's mix of form and function. So too is the company's Blacksmith work boot, which was originally designed to protect feet from burning embers.
Why Trust UsFor more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it's a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.
Edvinsson Recall Christmas Gift For Red Wings Fans
As the Detroit Red Wings were fumbling their way through the month December, the faithful were clamoring for a look at the future of the franchise.
That Christmas wish will be granted in of all places, Newark, New Jersey.
Defenseman Simon Edvinsson is joining the club for their final pre-Christmas game. He was given a recall from the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins early Saturday and will play Saturday night on the road against the New Jersey Devils.
The sixth player chosen in the 2021 NHL entry draft, Edvinsson is enjoying a solid sophomore campaign with the Griffins. With 6-10-16 totals through 25 games, he's leading all Griffins defenders and ranks 19th overall among AHL defensemen. Only three AHL blueliners have scored more goals than Edvinsson. He's already exceeded last season's output of five goals as an AHL rookie.
Edvinsson Simplifying His GameGriffins coach Dan Watson thinks that Edvinsson has simplified his game, while also adding an element of consistency to his performance.
"It's consistency on a daily basis," Watson said. "He's aware of it, he knows it. He's being dialed in on the simple things, the simple passes and practice, making sure those are always 100%. So for him, it's being great at simple basically, every day in practice and understanding the intensity that he has to practice with and play with. And, you know, we've liked what we've seen so far. "
Edvinsson enjoyed a seven-game point scoring streak from Nov. 18-Dec. 8, the longest such run this season by any Griffins player. He's been a plus or even player in 16 of 25 games.
"Continuing to grow his game," was Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde's recent assessment of Edvinsson's progress. "Positive reports from him down there, where he's starting to get a more complete game. There's less of those egregious mistakes, he's finding his game. He's growing the correct way."
Maatta Out For Red WingsDetroit defenseman Olli Maatta was hurt in Friday's 7-6 home-ice shootout win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Leaving in the first period with an upper-body, Lalonde was later confirmning Maatta was out for tonight.
Jake Walman sat out Friday's game and Lalonde allowed that several defensemen were ailing.
"It's that time of year," Lalonde said. "We've had a lot of games, some bumps and bruises and some sickness."
Originally, Lalonde was indicating that Walman would be able to play Saturday. Either that scenario has changed, or he's planning on dressing seven defensemen against the Devils.
Edvinsson made his NHL debut last season. In nine games with Detroit, he would collect a pair of goals.
Making room for Edvinsson on the 23-player roster, the Red Wings were placing goaltender Alex Lyon on IR.
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